Biden administration approves $8 billion arms sale to Israel?

Reuters on January 4 quoted two US officials as saying that President Joe Biden's administration had notified Congress of a proposal to sell $8 billion worth of weapons to Israel.

The new arms sale to Israel includes ammunition for fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as artillery shells, small-diameter bombs and warheads, according to two US officials, who did not want to be identified.

Israeli soldiers fire mortar shells near the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel on January 3, 2024.

One of the two US officials revealed that the new arms sale package includes AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles to counter drones and other aerial threats, 155mm artillery shells, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and other bombs and guidance systems.

Additionally, another official said President Biden made clear that Israel has the right to protect its citizens “in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law,” and that Washington will continue to provide the necessary capabilities for Israel’s defense.

Several civilians killed as Israel strikes Hamas targets across Gaza

Some ammunition could be supplied through the current US stockpile, the official said, while most would take years to be delivered. The US State Department did not respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters.

Protesters have been demanding an arms embargo on Israel for months, but U.S. policy has largely remained unchanged, according to Reuters. In August 2024, the U.S. agreed to sell $20 billion worth of fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel.

The Biden administration has stressed that it is helping Israel fight Iran-backed groups such as Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

President Biden (Democrat) is expected to leave office on January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump (Republican) will take office. Both are strong supporters of Israel, according to Reuters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chinh-quyen-tong-thong-biden-duyet-goi-ban-vu-khi-8-ti-usd-cho-israel-185250105060931228.htm